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Some 60 educators hired for new school year- Hon de Castro

Some 60 teachers have been recruited for the new school year in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Internet Source/File
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) has praised the Let's Teach VI initiative, which seeks to bring fresh voices and vibrant energy into the educational landscape.' Photo: GIS/Facebook
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) has praised the Let's Teach VI initiative, which seeks to bring fresh voices and vibrant energy into the educational landscape.' Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Some 60 teachers have been recruited for the new school year in the Virgin Islands (VI), Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) has said.

Speaking at the Professional Development Day for educators at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) on August 28, 2023, Hon de Castro said: "This school year we welcome 30 Teacher Trainees and Recruits to the profession. Additionally, we also welcome about 30 new trained teachers into our education system.

“We welcome you as you have come to integrate and be a part of the change. These individuals will continue to make a difference, and they will become agents of change just like every single one of you sitting here and I encourage you to mentor them to encourage them, so that they can become life partners in education as so many of you have decided to be."

She also acknowledged 9 new Principals and Assistant Principals who have accepted the call to lead VI schools.

“I want to take this opportunity to speak about the amazing reality of what it means to be a teacher trainee. I am certain that in this new cohort of principals, there are individuals who would have started off as a teacher trainee a long time ago,” Hon de Castro said.

Trainee system an opportunity to grow 

She said for new principals that started off as teacher trainee, it just stands as an example to the teacher trainees that are starting now and show them what is possible.

“Principal Marshall, Principal Fraites, Principal Rhymer, thank you so much. There is room for growth and development in education. To the 10 teacher trainees who will start this year, look at those principals, this year they start as the leaders of their institutions after giving years of service and dedication to education. Let’s continue to elevate in the profession and let’s acknowledge the hard work of the ones, who would have started from the very bottom and are now at the top,” Hon de Castro added.

Hon de Castro added that the teacher trainee program has been passionately reinstituted and she believed that for decades to come, it will furnish the local education system with the much-needed professionals needed to keep moving Full S.T.E.A.M. ahead. 

“Education is by far the best profession in the world. I believe as educators we can boldly say, that it is the profession that builds every single profession.  It is the torch that ignites passion, it is a catalyst for curiosity and a vessel for transformation,” she said. 

Hon de Castro called on everyone to reimagine education, and empower students not just to succeed, but to excel and to love learning, “Let us cultivate an environment where every child's potential is recognised, nurtured, and celebrated,” she added.

21 Responses to “Some 60 educators hired for new school year- Hon de Castro”

  • hmm (04/09/2023, 13:43) Like (6) Dislike (19) Reply
    I AM WILLING TO BET THAT THEY ARE MOSTLY GUYANESE
    • @ lol (04/09/2023, 15:14) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
      And I hope you win that bet cause Guyana have some of the best of the best when in comes to the teachers.
  • Teacher (04/09/2023, 13:47) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    What about the many items the school needs?
  • lodger (04/09/2023, 13:55) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    No help from the uk with our education system “We built this Island”.
  • People (04/09/2023, 14:04) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    High teacher turn over is happening worldwide. There's a shortage worldwide with teachers and nurses so it is not unique to the BVI but some people do no research.
    • @People (05/09/2023, 08:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      BVI NEEDS ARE NURING SCHOOL ! EQUIP YOUR PEOPLE so they can give back to their Country!
  • Hmmmm (04/09/2023, 14:06) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    This Minister of Education will attract more good educators if she is more respectful and stop waking on people and talking down to anyone who does not agree with her. She needs to work on her people skills.
    • @ hmmmmmm (04/09/2023, 15:23) Like (5) Dislike (32) Reply
      We putting her back as she is doing a better job than funny man and half dead showande
      • smdh (04/09/2023, 17:48) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
        You all few family members cannot expect to shield her all the time as this is condoning her disrespect. She needs to learn respect shown is respect given. You all better come out of denial and straighten her out sooner rather than later.
  • ????? (04/09/2023, 16:07) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    HOW MANY ARE REALLY QUALIFIED????
  • John (04/09/2023, 16:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope the teachers get better salary and make sure they have tools to work with the stuff they send don't last a whole term that the teachers have to raise money to get rest
    • @John (04/09/2023, 17:29) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      This is an issue worldwide. It is not as simple to resolve as it sounds.
  • Attrition (04/09/2023, 17:01) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    So how many will still be teaching by Christmas?
  • Real Talk (04/09/2023, 17:11) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is 2023. No one should be teaching without a university degree and having passed a teacher licensing exam. Even classroom aides should have an Associates degree.

    I applaud her efforts to do something. Training high schools graduates on the job is not the answer. If you're talking science, technology, engineering and math, those are technical subjects that require technical degrees.

    BVI students deserve that.
    • @Real Talk (04/09/2023, 23:22) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Most great teachers started as trainees. It is what built the teaching profession in the Caribbean for years. Once properly monitored it will work fabulously. Then they can get qualified because having a degree is good but it does not ensure caring nor ability nor common sense.
  • Hmmmm (04/09/2023, 19:43) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    We are pushing STEAM yet teachers are preparing for the new school term without basic requirements. They are spending from their pockets, as usual, to have good looking classrooms for their students. The minister is a set of talk.
    The minister and CEO ag. need to work on their people's skills or soon the dedicated few will leave them to teach the classes. Manners and respect go a long way, OC and S.D
    • stop (04/09/2023, 21:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Keep spending from your pockets then coming here to complain like that makes sense.
  • City Hall (04/09/2023, 23:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I dread to think what's going to happen if we do not have the right leaders in place
  • This is Good.. (05/09/2023, 02:11) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Just hope they are qualified and well disciplined and they are not just friends or friends of friends, we know how you all operate. . Selfish, hateful, spiteful and without fairness..


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